Early MLB Targets: June 15th

Thursday afternoon will bring us a short three-game slate. Let’s dive right into all the information for this slate, and as always, you can get me on the ol’ Twitter machine @SBuchanan24.

Pitcher

Stud

Rich Hill – LAD vs. CLE – $9,600- Pitching is hardly an expensive commodity this afternoon, as Rich Hill is the highest priced pitcher at $9,600. He’ll face off against the Indians, a team that carries a .302 wOBA against lefties with a .381 SLG and a OPS of .683. The downside to this matchup is that the Indians are one of the toughest teams in the league to strike out. The Indians are owners of a 17.6 K%, which ranks 27th in the league.

Other Options – Jose Berrios ($8,800)

Value

Ariel Miranda – SEA vs. MIN – $7,400 – This could be a real ugly slate for pitching this afternoon, so I’m a believer that your hitters are what will win you this slate. Everyone has a fairly tough matchup this afternoon, so don’t be surprised if all six pitchers struggle today. Miranda has not been overly successful on the road, posting a .358 wOBA with a .508 SLG, but he does a great job of minimizing the damage. In his previous 10 starts, he’s allowed less than four hits in a start in seven of those while allowing no more than three runs in nine.

Other Options – Chris Tillman ($6,500)

Catcher

Stud

UPDATE: Yasmani Grandal is not in the Dodgers’ lineup today against the Indians.

Yasmani Grandal – LAD vs. CLE – $3,400 – Josh Tomlin has been brutal at Progressive Field this season, posting a .396 wOBA with a .570 SLG in 32.4 innings of work. Grandal comes into this game with a .347 wOBA against righties with a .338 OBP and five of his six home runs.

UPDATE: Mike Zunino is not in the Mariners’ lineup today against the Twins.

Other Options Mike Zunino ($3,900)

Value

UPDATE: Yan Gomes is not in the Indians’ lineup today against the Dodgers.

Yan Gomes – CLE vs. LAD – $2,900 – Gomes is always a sneaky play when he’s up against a left-handed pitcher. Of his four home runs this year, Gomes has hit three of them against a lefty to go with a .373 wOBA. Even on a short slate like this afternoon, I don’t expect his ownership to be high, making him one of those players that can be a difference maker in your lineup.

Other Options – Carlos Ruiz ($3,800)

First Base

Stud

Jose Abreu – CWS vs. BAL – $4,300 – Chris Tillman looks completely lost on the mound lately, as he’s coming off arguably one of his worst starts of his career against the Yankees. In just 1.1 innings, the Yankees tagged him for nine runs on seven hits with three home runs. Abreu is hitting much better as of late and owns a .311 wOBA against righties with six of his 10 home runs.

Other Options – Cody Bellinger ($5,300)

Value

Trey Mancini – BAL vs. CWS – $4,100 – With Chris Davis on the disabled list, Mancini will see the majority of his time at first base. He was producing at the plate even before the injury, sporting a .337 wOBA against lefties with a .487 SLG with four of his 10 home runs.

Other Options –Chase Utley ($3,700)

Second Base

Stud

Brian Dozier – MIN vs. SEA – $5,200 – I’m a fan of Miranda this afternoon, but Dozier is still someone you should consider. His numbers against lefties have been fantastic this season, as he’s posting a .434 wOBA against them with a .590 SLG and a .447 OBP. Dozier has yet to hit a home run at home this season, but Miranda is prone to giving up the big fly, allowing 10 of his 11 home runs to right-handed batters.

Other Options – Jonathan Schoop ($4,500)

Value

UPDATE: Chase Utley is not in the Dodgers’ lineup today against the Indians.

Chase Utley – LAD vs. CLE – $3,700 – I’m more comfortable using Utley at second base today rather than first. I think the depth at first base is much deeper today than it is at second. The narrative here today is how poorly Josh Tomlin pitches at home, so grabbing Utley for relatively short salary could pay off. Utley owns a .350 wOBA against righties this season with a .449 SLG and a .362 OBP.

Other Options – Robinson Cano ($3,900)

Third Base

Stud

Miguel Sano – MIN vs. SEA – $4,400 – Playing off those 10 home runs that Miranda has allowed to righties, Sano and Dozier are the guys that could take him deep today. Sano is sporting a .397 wOBA against lefties that jumps up to .436 at Target Field.

Other Options – Manny Machado ($4,900)

Value

Matt Davidson – CWS vs. BAL – $3,700 – Davidson is quietly putting together a solid 2017 season for the White Sox. Granted, he strikes out a ton, but he possesses enough power to make him an interesting option on a daily basis. Davidson is posting an impressive .373 wOBA against righties at home with a .619 SLG and a .908 OPS.

Other Options – Todd Frazier ($3,900)

Shortstop

Stud

Francisco Lindor – CLE vs. LAD – $4,400 – Lindor has been very quiet at the plate lately, averaging just 3.5 fantasy points per game over his last 10. However, I almost always grab him when he’s playing against a left-handed pitcher. On the season, Lindor is sporting a .365 wOBA with a .527 SLG and five of his 13 home runs.

Other Options – Corey Seager ($4,900)

Value

Taylor Motter – SEA vs. MIN – $2,500 – This is a punt play at shortstop, as value wise, no one stands out. The only real benefit here with Motter is that he’s been starting at shortstop, filling in for the injured Jean Segura. Motter does have some power, hitting six home runs this season, but he’s only had one since April.

Other Options – Tim Anderson ($3,400)

Outfield

Stud

Cody Bellinger – LAD vs. CLE – $5,300 – Bellinger is not only the most expensive hitter on this slate, but he’s also one of the hottest at the plate lately. Averaging 11.6 FPPG over his last 10 games, Bellinger owns a .392 wOBA against righties on the road with a .630 SLG and five of his 17 home runs. His high salary shouldn’t be a problem fitting into your lineup.

Other Options – Avisail Garcia ($4,700), Robbie Grossman ($4,400)

Value

UPDATE: Leury Garcia is not in the lineup today for the White Sox.

Leury Garcia – CWS vs. BAL – ($3,800) – We’ve heard rumblings that White Sox will be getting Garcia back today, as he was seen taking some swings in the batting cage yesterday. Garcia is hitting very well at home thus far, posting a .375 wOBA against righties here with a .600 SLG and a .304 OBP.

Other Options – Ben Gamel ($3,900), Adam Jones ($3,200)

I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is Steveazors) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above.

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